Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee caught in the tempest that nearly derailed the 2025 Asia Cup, he had only minutes before the toss of India–Pakistan’s encounter on September 14 where he learned that the two captains were not to shake hands. Pycroft had, at that time, interpreted his function to be merely conveying the order and not issuing it himself. Shortly thereafter, the PCB did file a formal complaint against him, claiming that he had broken ICC codes and the spirit of the game, as well as requesting that he be removed from the tournament.
According to ESPNCricinfo, that the incident occurred in a state of wild haste during the two Pakistan matches on September 14 and 17. One official states that the match was lit just “four minutes before the toss” of the India–Pakistan match. As Pycroft proceeded for the toss, the ACC’s venue manager told him that the BCCI with permission from the Indian government had directed that there be no handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha.
The PCB contended that Pycroft ought to have immediately referred the issue to the ICC, but he insisted there was no time. If he had been made aware earlier, he claimed, he would have consulted ICC. Instead, at the eleventh hour, he handed the message to Agha, trying to spare him the embarrassment of offering his hand to Suryakumar and being snubbed on live TV.
The ICC has gone on to state that Pycroft’s actions did not constitute any code breach. Instead, they consider his decision to be within the jurisdiction of a match referee responsible for controlling proceedings on the pitch.
